Instagram is once again taking a page from TikTok's playbook with the newly launched Remix feature for its short-form Reels videos. The new feature lifts its capabilities almost directly from TikTok. Instagram has continually developed Reels since it was launched in August 2020, while trying to delineate itself from its rival TikTok.
When Instagram Reels launched, the feature's capabilities weren't too different from TikTok's. At the time, Reels allowed users to record only up to 15 seconds of video, much like when TikTok first started out. Eventually, though, Reels upped the limit to 30 seconds, edging closer to TikTok's current 60-second limit. However, despite the similarities to TikTok, Instagram also wants to differentiate Reels from TikTok. Recently, the company discouraged its content creators from recycling content from TikTok or other rivals. Ultimately, Instagram wants Reels to become its own thing.
Now, Instagram has announced the Remix feature. Much like TikTok's Duets feature, Remix allows users to respond to a Reels video with a video of their own, showing the two side by side to make a creative combination. The new feature will allow users to create a variety of content including singing combos, memes, and reaction videos.
How To Make a Remix on Instagram
Though the feature is like TikTok Duets (and even the similarly-titled Snapchat Remixes), it takes a few more steps to access the Reels Remix. After selecting a reel to respond to, users can find the 'Remix This Reel' button via the three-dotted button at the top-right section of the Reel. Once there, remixers will have access to a host of editing tools including volume control and dubbing. Only new Reels will come with the Remix feature turned on automatically, but it can be turned on for existing Reels via the same three-dotted button. Users who remix another person's reel will pop up in the latter's Activity tab. Meanwhile, self-made Reels will pop up in the Reels section.
With the feature, Instagram is opening the door to a wealth of new content from its creators and users. Since TikTok's musical days, Duets has become one of the most popular ways to create new content from old ones. Though Instagram's Reels copies from the popular TikTok feature, it still remains to be seen whether Instagram can topple TikTok as the video-sharing platform to beat.
Source: Instagram